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Taliban leader's control weakens as infighting infects group'stop ranksDefence News

Taliban leader Mullah Omar's grip on the insurgency is

loosening as coalition battlefield successes in southernAfghanistan help sow discord among the Taliban top ranksand weaken the organisation, a top US commander hassaid. The US Marine Corps' Major General John Toolan,commander of coalition forces in the south west ofAfghanistan, said: "What we have seen in the last coupleof months is a lot of infighting among some of his seniorleadership. There were some killings within and amongthe Taliban," he continued. Security analysts say that thediscord among the Taliban's leadership is a sign thatcoalition battlefield successes have hurt the organisation,though it might also mean that the insurgency willincreasingly be in the hands of more radical junior leaders who operate independently: "That could break

either way," said David Barno, a retired three-star general at the 'Center for a New American Security', adefence policy think tank. (Read the STORY)

Musa Qaleh: walking the path of progressBy Cpl. Jeff Drew

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Musa Qaleh, onceterrorized by insurgents, now shines as a symbol ofprogress in the province, thanks to the hard work anddedication of Government of the Islamic Republic ofAfghanistan officials, Afghan security forces, Marines andsailors of the 2nd Marine Division (Forward), and other

coalition partners. They have worked together to eliminatethe insurgent threat in the area, and local Afghan officialshave tightened security and invested in infrastructure andeducation, successfully laying a strong foundation foryears to come. Before, the security circle was verylimited, said Naimatullah Sameen, district governor ofMusa Qaleh. Nobody could walk around confidently in

the bazaar. Up to one kilometer around us, it was not possible to walk around. There was no coordinationamong government authorities, and we were in a very vulnerable position. We did operations in the north,south, west and east. We expanded security, established (checkpoints), helped people, and more than 30kilometers the security has been expanded. (Read the STORY)

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ANA artillery fire lights the way of progress for Afghan securityforcesBy Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez FIRE BASE FIDDLERS GREEN, Afghanistan -- AfghanNational Security Forces have gained a new edge in thecounterinsurgency fight in southern Helmand. AfghanNational Army soldiers with 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade,

215th Corps, conducted an artillery demonstration, firingillumination rounds from Howitzer D-30s, for governmentofficials and local elders from districts across southernHelmand here, Jan. 14. This event gave the Afghanpeople in this area an opportunity to observe their soldiersperforming their duties with very minimal support fromcoalition forces, said Capt. John Erskine, the office-in-charge of the Combat Support Advisory Team with 2ndBattalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and native of Coronado, Calif. The ANA artillerymen prepared for thedemonstration for weeks, conducting independent and partnered training with their Marine counterpartsfive days a week, said ANA Lt. Col. Fazul Hazim, the commanding officer of 4/1/215. For this mission,they conducted night training on the D-30, Hazim added. They also exercised three night live firerehearsals prior to the final shoot. Our artillery advisers trained the soldiers on fire direction and gunlineprocedures, Erskine said. The training also focused on night missions, which is something new for thekandak. The demonstration was a significant step forward in the development of the 4th Kandak and theANAs overall artillery capability. (Read the STORY)

Afghan forces, Echo Company oust insurgency, establish newsecurity posts in Musa QalehBy Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes

MUSA QALEH DISTRICT, Afghanistan Marines withEcho Company and members of the Afghan NationalSecurity Forces are participating in Operation Double

Check, an operation to promote legitimate governancewithin the Musa Qaleh district. This operation furtherspread the influence of the Government of the IslamicRepublic of Afghanistan to untouched areas and providedan opportunity for Afghan forces to take on a greater rolein security efforts. Second Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment,coordinated the operation launched Jan. 2 to eliminateinsurgent fighters and establish Afghan Uniformed Police

security posts along the southern Musa Qaleh wadi, a dry riverbed in Northern Helmand province. Thepurpose was to clear the (insurgents) out of the southern Musa Qaleh wadi and install a total of sixAfghan Uniformed Police posts on both the east side and the west side of the wadi, said Capt. George J.Flynn III, a Woodbridge, Va., native and the commanding officer for Echo Company. The idea (is) toconnect the people of this area, the southern Musa Qaleh wadi, to the district center at Musa Qaleh.

The villages around the wadi were cut off from each other and the district center because of theimprovised explosive device-laced roads and the negative influence of the insurgency. Echo Companywas tasked to clear the west side of the wadi so the communities would be able to reconnect. Thebattalion headquarters broke the operation into phases: clear the roads, give local residents freedom ofmovement, establish security measures in the area to prevent the insurgents return, and assist theAfghans in taking charge of security in the area. Echos 2nd and 3rd Platoons were inserted into the areaunder the cover of darkness during the operation. Marines and their Afghan Uniformed Police partnersbegan knocking on doors of specifically targeted compounds just minutes after CH-53 Sea StallionHelicopters dropped the reinforced rifle platoons off. (Read the STORY)

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NATO claims 'successful year' in AfghanistanBy Defence News A spokesman for NATO-led forces said that 2011 had beena 'remarkably successful year' in the fight againstinsurgents in Afghanistan and in the development of theAfghan security forces. In the southern Taliban stronghold,'considerable advances' had been made in securingKandahar City and its environs, said International SecurityAssistance Force spokesman Brigadier General CarstenJacobson: "The success has been so great thatinsurgents have largely lost control of the area and nowrely on IEDs [improvised explosive devices] as theirprimary method of attack," he said. And in the east, forceshad he said: "...significantly disrupted the Haqqani Network through Operations SHAMSHIR and KNIFEEDGE, where coalition forces captured or eliminated over 500 insurgent leaders and fighters last fall." TheHaqqani Network has been blamed for a series of high-profile attacks in Kabul, including one on the USEmbassy in September last year. The network is based in the Afghan-Pakistan border region, whichBrigadier General Jacobson said would remain a key focus for operations. Kabul itself had, he said:"...become a thriving commercial capital, able to absorb and respond to spectacular attempts to disruptsecurity with resolute response to insurgent attacks, leaving the insurgents largely in a state of failure."

Brigadier General Jacobson said Afghan forces were clearly i n control of the city, a s part of a phasedtransition ahead of a pull-out of NATO combat troops in 2014. (Read the STORY)

Combat engineers build posts during Operation Double Checkto improve Musa Qalehs securityBy Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

PATROL BASE 7171, Afghanistan -- Marines from 2ndPlatoon, Bravo Company, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion,spent the opening days of Operation Double Checkbuilding elevated security posts for Afghan NationalSecurity Force and Afghan National Police personnel. Theposts, now complete, were placed in areas of southernMusa Qaleh district, Helmand province, that lacked acoalition presence prior to the operations start, Jan. 3 areas that have been plagued by an active insurgency inrecent years. The engineers are working in direct supportof 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, during DoubleCheck, and the platoon was split between Marines

building posts on the west side of the Musa Qaleh wadi, or dry riverbed, supporting Echo Company, 2/4,and in the east assisting Fox Company, 2/4, during the construction period. We are building posts on bothsides of the wadi; half the platoon is over there and the other half is here, said Salt Lake City nativeGunnery Sgt. Thomas Eardley, the platoon sergeant for 2nd Platoon. Were going to fortify thesepositions so the (Afghan Uniformed Police) and (Afghan National Army) can come in and control it with alittle bit of Marine help and a lot of motivation. The engineers worked swiftly during the first week of theoperation to complete the posts, spending many hours setting up and filling gabions, shoveling dirt,building berms and laying concertina wire all with the Marines wearing full combat gear and using limitedresources to accomplish their mission. Weve got one (bulldozer) and one (multi-purpose bucket loader)on each side of the wadi to do this, and thats it for heavy equipment; everything else is just manpower,said Eardley. Its just hard work and motivation and then a couple pieces of heavy equipment to ensurewe get the job done. Afghan Uniformed Police personnel selected the locations for the posts to beplaced, choosing sites they felt to be easily tenable and visible to the public. The AUP patrolmen alsohelped w ith construction by filling sandbags and placing them on the posts as fortification. (Read theSTORY) (See the b-roll VIDEO)

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UK troops fall in with MSB Marines during exchange programBy Sgt. Justin Shemanski CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Two soldiers withthe British Armys Theater Equipment Support Battalionhave spent the last several days turning wrenches amongsome of 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward)s finestmaintainers. Beginning Jan. 16, Lance Cpl. Craig Heatonand Craftsman Adam Evans traded places with a pair oftheir American counterparts for an opportunity to see howthe Corps keeps their gear in the fight. The swap is part ofan ongoing exchange program between MarineAir-Ground Task Force Support Battalion 11.2sMaintenance Company and their coalition counterparts atCamp Bastion. According to Maj. Brian Spooner, thecommanding officer of Maint. Co., its all about maintaining positive relationships with our NATO partners.It has allowed us to compare levels of maintenance and share ideas come up with unique solutions tounpredictable problems, said Spooner, a native of Fort Collins, Colo. The troops spent much of the weekrunning diagnostics on various types of engines. Heaton, a vehicle mechanic and native ofNorthhamptonshire, England, noted an obvious difference between the ways the two forces approachequipment repair. The afternoon of Jan. 20 found the exchange pair at the Intermediate Maintenance

Activity lot troubleshooting a Detroit Diesel V6 Logistics Vehicle System truck engine down to thecomponent level something quite different from what they would have done on the British side. Wherethe Marines do a lot of maintenance on site, Heaton explained that his unit would typically replace thewhole part, an entire engine in this case, and send the broken piece of gear back to England forrefurbishing. (Read the STORY)

Bulk fuel Marines keep bases, operations runningBy Cpl. Katherine M. Solano

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WHITEHOUSE,Afghanistan -- There is a platoon within 2nd Marine

Logistics Group (Forward) that plays a vital role in everysingle ground operation conducted in the battlespace. Thesmall number of Marines with Bulk Fuel Platoon, 9thEngineer Support Battalion, are spread over 19 differentlocations in Helmand province and are responsible for afuel storage and distribution capacity of almost 2.5 milliongallons. At each of their locations, they refuel tacticalvehicles before and after operations, refill generatorspowering the bases, and even provide fuel for AfghanNational Security Forces conducting coalition missions.

The responsibility of providing fuel for every operation out of FOB Whitehouse falls on two bulk fuelMarines and an engineer who was augmented to the unit to assist with the daily operations. As a platoon,my Marines are doing the job of three companies, stated Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Lee, the bulk fuelofficer for the platoon. Lee added that other companies throughout 9th ESB had stepped up to provideMarines to help support the fuel mission throughout the area. He pointed out how important it was for thebattalion to come together to conduct large, widespread operations such as this. The mission does notinclude simply refilling vehicles, Lee explained. We are trusted to safeguard coalition fuel, he began. Itis our job to account for each gallon and to ensure it is all up to military specifications. All of our sitesmaintain environmental regulations. This standard is upheld from the highest levels of leadership down tothe operators who actually distribute the fuel. A regional site manager for the platoon, Sgt. Xuchill Laput,enforces strict checks and operating procedures on a daily basis at his sites. He acknowledges that it isnot actually necessary to conduct daily thorough checks of all of the equipment and fuel lines, nor tochange and clean filters throughout the pump system as often as they do. (Read the STORY)

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Marines in Afghanistan honor brethren killed in helicopter crashBy Cpl. Brian Adam Jones CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan -- The Marines of Marine Heavy HelicopterSquadron 363 filled the pews of a small chapel at Camp Bastion,Afghanistan, to bid farewell to six fallen brothers, Jan. 24. In a somberscene, coalition forces gathered to memorialize the six Marines with thesquadron who died when their CH-53D Sea Stallion heavy-lift helicoptercrashed supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan,Jan. 19. During the ceremonys final roll call, Sgt. Maj. Mitchell Green, thesquadrons sergeant major, called the names of the fallen Capt. DanielB. Bartle, a native of Ferndale, Wash.; Capt. Nathan R. McHone, fromCrystal Lake, Ill.; Master Sgt. Travis Riddick, a native of Centerville, Iowa;Cpl. Joseph D. Logan, of Willis, Texas; Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, fromColonia, N.J.; and Cpl. Jesse W. Stites, who grew up in Roxana, Ill., andInterlachen, Fla. "It is difficult to be here, easier to suppress our emotionsand move on with our daily routine, said Lt. Col. Mark Revor,commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, in hisremarks at the ceremony. It is difficult because they were more than

friends, more than family they were our brothers and our comrades.Afew hundred yards from the chapel, outside the squadrons hangar, the American flag flew at half-staffbeside the squadrons sign depicting their logo, The Lucky Red Lions. Its hard to feel lucky today, but Iknow that I could not describe [it] better than to say I was lucky to serve with these men, lucky to haveknown them as well as I did, said Revor, and I will be lucky indeed if I can brighten the days and nightsof my friends the way that they brightened mine. (Read the STORY)

Princess unveils 'Heroes Wall' honouring three fallen soldiersfrom same schoolDefence News

Three soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan will always beremembered by their former school thanks to a Heroes Wallunveiled by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal last week.The brand new 18m Melior Community College in Scunthorpewas formally opened by Princess Anne, who toured the newbuildings and met some of the 950 pupils. The CommunityCollege, which caters for 11-16 year olds, moved into the newbuildings in June last year from two separate sites, replacing theThomas Sumpter and South Leys Schools which amalgamatedfour years ago. Three former pupils who attended the school areCorporal Bryan Budd VC, Corporal Ben Leaning and CraftsmanAnthony Lombardi, who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The three soldiers' families and representatives of their regiments were invited to be present when thenew Heroes Wall was unveiled, and to meet Princess Anne. The idea for the Wall came from an aspirationto raise 10,000 for the Help for Heroes charity, and staff and pupils bought slate tiles with their names onthem. Above these fundraising tiles are commemorative tiles to the three fallen soldiers to perpetuate theirmemory within the school. Both Corporal Budd and his brother Stephen, who currently serves in the Armyas a Warrant Officer (WO), attended Thomas Sumpter School - one of the schools that make up the newcollege: "The Princess asked about the idea behind the Heroes Wall and met the whole family," said WOBudd. "It is the first time that I have met her and it is nice of her to do this kind of event and support themilitary and their families." (Read the STORY)

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Army retiree leads team to implement medical programBy Sgt. Laura Bonano CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Service membersface a long journey toward recovery after sustaininginjuries on the battlefield. Once they return stateside,many challenges will continue to test them. Physicalrehabilitation, medical treatment and readjusting toeveryday life can be a struggle. Dealing with lost or time-delayed medical records should not be another hurdle tocross. Steven Palmer, a twenty-one-year retired Sgt. 1stClass Army medic, led a team of civilian field servicerepresentatives to solve this problem when he firstdeployed to Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan in 2009 as acivilian. Palmer said he jumped at the chance to head upthe program because he would be able to work withservice members again as the health information systems manager. A native of Alliance, Ohio, Palmer saidhe joined the military right after high school with his cousin for the adventure. He said he enjoyed it somuch he decided to stay in until retirement. Palmer retired out of Fort Bragg, N.C. and now works as a

civilian contractor out of his home in Ohio, when he is not deployed. Following a Congressional mandate,the team implemented the Theater Medical Information Program. The TMIP is an electronic medicalsystem used to create a comprehensive overview of service members medical records and documents. Inessence, the same records available to service members in a garrison environment can be viewed atCombined Aide Stations in Afghanistan. Navy Capt. Jeffrey W. Timby, the Medical Director of RegionalCommand Southwest, said Palmer played a very important role in meeting the Congressional mandate fora theater-wide electronic medical record implementation. Palmer helped spread the TMIP across Helmandand Nimroz provinces. (Read the STORY)

Fox mobile Marines stay flexible during Operation DoubleCheckBy Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

PATROL BASE 7171, Afghanistan -- Armored trucksprovide unique capabilities in a combat environment andmobile sections are often among the most utilized assetsfor a line company during an Afghanistan deployment.Missions tasked out to mobile sections can be highlyvariable flexibility is a must for its Marines, especiallyduring formal operations. The high-stress, sometimestedious life of a mobile Marine in Afghanistan takes somegetting used to as personal comfort gives way to missionaccomplishment. Corporal John Kehoe, from Joliet, Ill.;Lance Cpl. Dakin M. Jausel, from Coulterville, Ill.; andLance Cpl. Ryan J. Merritt, from Marshall, Minn.; all withFox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, have

served in the companys mobile section since arriving to Afghanistan in late summer as the crew of TruckFour. All three Marines are mortarmen by trade, having no experience working in a truck crew prior to thebattalion's pre-deployment training evolution. Their new role as a truck crew Kehoe the vehiclecommander, Jausel the driver and Merritt the turret gunner took some adjustment at first, but theyquickly adapted. "It's definitely something that takes getting used to sleeping in a seat, not being able tostretch out; being stuck in your gear for nine, 10 days at a time; eating nothing but (Meals, Ready to Eat) things like that," said Kehoe, 23. (Read the STORY) (See the VIDEO interview) (B-Roll)

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Minnesota Marine reenlists to lead Marines in AfghanistanBy Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan -- Leadership is, perhaps, thetrait most commonly associated with the Marine Corps.From private to general, leadership is a quality that everyMarine can take hold of, regardless of rank. One Marinehas led at the tip of the spear over the course of a 16-yearcareer. He is doing so once again, currently serving withRegimental Combat Team 5 in southern Helmandprovince. Staff Sgt. Jeremy Martinez, the RCT-5 PersonalSecurity Detachment platoon commander, reenlisted here,Jan. 14, to continue his work as a leader of Marines.Leading Marines is, honestly, the one thing Ive aspired todo since I was a lance corporal, said Martinez, a35-year-old native of Moorhead, Minn. As I continue through my career, thats all I could hope forthat Icontinue to have Marines to lead and mentor them to be, not only better Marines, but better people ingeneral, Martinez added. Martinez has served in the Marine Corps since 1996. In addition to his currentdeployment, hes served two combat tours in Iraq (2002 and 2005). Throughout his career, Martinez hasheld multiple leadership positions with every unit in which he has served. He has led Marines as amachine gun section leader, platoon sergeant and company gunnery sergeant, to name a few. His current

role as the PSD platoon commander places the safety and security of the RCT-5 commanding officer, Col.Roger Turner, directly in his hands. (Read the STORY)

Tatum Marine dreams of horses, ranches and Texas RangersBy Staff Sgt. Robert Storm

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan -- Ive alwaysknown what I wanted to do in my life, said Lance Cpl. Michael Autrey, datasystem specialist, Regimental Combat Team 6, from Tatum, Texas. Autrey,19, is not your typical Marine. He joined the Marine Corps in June 2009because of a promise from his great grandfather to serve at least oneenlistment in the Marines to receive the discipline which would make himsuccessful in life. Hes eager to learn. He tries hard at everything he does,said Staff Sgt Stephen Dunmire, data chief, RCT-6, from Pittsburg, Pa. Hesdriven. If hes not good at something hell keep trying at it; hes not afraid tofail and learn from it. Though Autrey is constantly pushing himself to be abetter Marine, he doesnt plan to serve more than one tour of enlistment.One thing he does want to do is attend the Martial Arts Center of Excellence(MACE) and become a martial arts instructor before he gets out. I like theMarine Corps; I just have other plans, Autrey said. I got some training inweapons and martial arts, and Ill get my college paid for. After that I plan to

move to the next step in my life.Autrey smiled a lot but joked little. Healready owns land and he plans to build a recreational vehicle park when he returns home fromAfghanistan. I want to build a few RV parks just enough to live comfortably while I focus on my othergoals. I dont need to be a millionaire, Autrey said. Its a low investment, with a high profit and quickreturn. Before joining the Marines he worked on a ranch training horses and competing in rodeos andother horse related events. Autrey has a passion for horses, and he said his life plans include teachingpeople how to train horses, owning and running a ranch for special needs children and even becoming aTexas Ranger. Since he was 5, Autrey has been learning to train horses. As he spoke, his enthusiasmgrows with words and gestures. He told how his grandfather and a family friend, a native Cherokee Indian,taught him to treat horses as equals. Whereas most trainers use force applied techniques to train theirhorses, Autreys family techniques do not. (Read the STORY)

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8/3/2019 Roundup - Jan. 29, 2012

9/12

Doing the right thing always: Bulk fuel Marine learns lessons inROTC, applies them to essential missions in AfghanistanBy Cpl. Katherine M. Solano FORWARD OPERATING BASE WHITEHOUSE, Afghanistan - With abudding interest in joining the military beginning at a young age, Sgt. XuchillLaput, a regional site manager with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 2ndMarine Logistics Group (Forward), never really considered another option.

While he originally enlisted to be a combat engineer, over the years, Laputhas come to appreciate the importance of being a bulk fuel Marine. Herecognizes that every mission requires fuel, and it is up to the Bulk FuelPlatoon to keep that mission fulfilled. Laput says his interest in the militarywas solidified by one man in particular: his Reserve Officers Training Corpsinstructor in high school, Senior Chief Petty Officer Mark Williams. Whileattending Lincoln High School in Stockton, Calif., Laput stayed involved withthe ROTC program and says he gleaned so much from it, to this day hecontinues to return to visit his mentor. I grew up without a strong malefigure, began Laput. [Williams] was that figure for me in a lot of ways. Hedidnt tell me what to do, but he gave me advice on how to do the right thing,even in hard situations. It is this lesson that Laput says has carried overmost throughout his Marine Corps career, both in general, and as a bulk fuel specialist. He says thateveryone, not just Marines, should wake up in the morning with a goal to do the right thing throughout theday. This attitude carries over into his daily routine as a fuel farm manager. Laput stressed the fact thatevery morning at the fuel farm, he and his Marines wake up early and go through an extensive checklist ofall of the equipment. He further explained the checklist procedures to include walking every inch of the fuellines to look for leaks and tears, checking valves, cleaning filters and ensuring log books are up to date.While these procedures do not necessarily need to be done every day, the habit the Marines have gotteninto by doing them every single morning solidifies Laputs belief in doing the right thing. (Read theSTORY)

Harvest Hawk, PackageBy Cpl. Daniel Wulz

KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- VMGR-252Squadron utilizes the KC-130J aircraft, the Harvest Hawk,to support ground units in Afghanistan. If ground troopstake enemy fire, the Harvest Hawk can provide close airsupport utilizing Harrier and Cobra pilots as WSOs orweapons systems operators aboard the Hawk while theC130 pilots navigate and control the aircraft. A specialinfrared sensor allows the WSOs to target the enemy on

the ground. The Harvest Hawk is the first C-130 to ever befitted with Hellfire and Griffin missiles for use in supporting

ground troops in close combat engagements.The 252 is the second squadron to be outfitted with theseweapons systems and has assisted in the pioneering of the Harvest Hawk mission. (See the VIDEO)(B-Roll) (252 Squadron at Kandahar Air Field)

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10/12

In their voices: Afghan elders speak about transitionBy Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- In both English andPashto, elders are speaking out about transition. HajiAhmad Shah, a block elder for the Marjah district, speaksabout the changes he has seen in Marjah in his videointerview for a series titled In their voices. The seriesprovides personal accounts of the areas prior to coalitionforces arriving, as well as current conditions, and allowsthe public to hear directly from Afghan community leaders,security officials and local government officials. DeputyDistrict Governor Mohammad Rasoul Barakzai, deputydistrict governor of Marjah, talks about Marjah beforecoalition forces arrived and the progress and developmentsince insurgents were forced out of the area. This video is part of a series called In their voices, acompilation of video interviews with key leaders in several areas of Helmand, to include Sangin andMarjah. The series provides personal accounts of the areas prior to coalition forces arriving, as well ascurrent conditions. The In their voices series allows the public to hear directly from Afghan communityleaders, security officials and local government officials. This unprecedented effort is being provided toinform the public on the key issues of security and development in the province. Several print articles willalso be linked to the series to provide further background on the progress the Afghan people haveexperienced in Helmand as well.(VIDEO: Musa Qal'eh deputy district governor discusses progress (English)(VIDEO: Musa Qal'eh deputy district governor discusses progress (Pashto)(VIDEO: Musa Qal'eh district governor speaks about progress (English)(VIDEO: Musa Qal'eh district governor speaks about progress (Pashto)(VIDEO: Helmand dir. of food dist. discusses wheat seed distribution in Musa Qal'eh (English)(VIDEO: Helmand dir. of food dist. discusses wheat seed distribution in Musa Qal'eh (Pashto)

Old and New Gym Aboard FOB Delaram IIBy Staff Sgt. Robert Storm

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan- U.S. Marines are world renown for physical fitness andendurance. The Marines at FOB Delaram II have a betterreason to keep that reputation going now that a newpermanent gym opened January 23, 2012. The first thingthat I noticed is you can breathe easier, said Sgt.Rolando G. Ventura, S-1 noncommissioned officer-in-charge, Regimental Combat Team 6, from Brentwood,N.Y. In the tents, it was hard to breathe while you worked

out. Its also a lot bigger so youre not cramped next to oneanother while you work out. While the Marines atDelaram II live in tents, efforts have been made to increase

morale. The previous gym was four tents connected together, with pull-up bars and much of the otherequipment outside. The tents were dimly lit, drafty and Marines constantly jostled one another as theycompleted their workout. The new gym is a permanent structure boasting more than 6,000 square feet ofconcrete floors. It was designed and built by Unity Logistics and Supply Services Company and cost$303,000. Its original completion date was estimated to be September 2011 but logistical problemsdelayed the opening until January. Obviously were just happy that our Marines will have the opportunityto utilize the new facility, Sgt. Maj. Deets said, regimental sergeant major, RCT-6, from Annandale, Va.The new gym is a welcome addition, its going to do great things for increasing the quality of life for theMarines aboard Delaram II. (See the VIDEO) (Read the STORY)

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8/3/2019 Roundup - Jan. 29, 2012

11/12

Garmsir district community council meetingBy Cpl. Reece Lodder

GARMSIRI, Afghanistan -- At Gamrsir District Center,Helmand province, Afghanistan, members of the Garmsirdistrict community council speak about progress andchallenges in Garmsir with U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Matthew

Palma, the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 3rdMarine Regiment, and his staff, here, Jan. 18. "America'sBattalion" is aiding Afghan Nation Security Forces inassuming lead security responsibility over Garmsir insouthern Helmand province. Illustrating the progress is aphoto essay of Afghans preparing a mixture of mud andconcrete while constructing the ceiling to a school buildinghere, Jan. 19. Twelve permanent schools are currentlyunder construction by local contractors in Garmsir district. U.S. Marines with the civil affairs team insupport of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, visited several sites to inspect the structures and ensurecompliance with the quality assurance standards of the Afghan government. The buildings are projectedfor mid-year completion . (B-Roll) (See the GALLERY)

Lt. Col. Matthew Palma, Bristol, R.I., interview by Cpl. Reece Lodder Sgt. Christopher Lemke talks to Macomb Township Patch, Macomb Mich Cpl. Joseph Schank Radio Lia Marine Cpl. David Russell Radio Lia Solar energy project in southern Afghanistan by Cpl. Meredith Brown,republished in FeedAgg.com Combat engineers perform route recon mission, paving the way for roadimprovements in Afghanistan by Cpl. Meredith Brown republished byMilitary News: Updates 3/7 I Co. Marines maintain local relationships by Cpl. Ed Galo

republished in Soldier of Fortune Data systems specialists keep Marine Corps running by Staff Sgt. RobertStorm republished in America Conservative Daily eMarine: Daily 400-word profile on random Marine from RCT6

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8/3/2019 Roundup - Jan. 29, 2012

12/12

SHOUTOUTS

by Cpl. Reece Lodder

Lance Cpl. Alex Akhromtsev, San Francisco 49'ersSgt. Melvin Derrick Alegria III, San Francisco 49'ers

Gunnery Sgt. Germaen Ramirez, San Francisco 49'ers

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